A fatal crash on Bauman Road late Saturday night claimed the life of a 66-year-old man after his vehicle was rear-ended by a speeding Infiniti G37. According to Houston police, the Infiniti collided with the back of the victim’s Chevrolet Lumina, forcing it off the roadway and into a ditch. The suspect’s vehicle allegedly then struck a parked car. Authorities allege the driver of the Infiniti was impaired at the time of the crash and later charged him with intoxication manslaughter.
Whenever someone is seriously injured or killed in a crash involving a suspected drunk driver, I think about where that driver may have been drinking before getting behind the wheel.
Could a Bar or Restaurant Have Overserved the Driver?
Under Texas dram shop law, alcohol providers can be held liable if they serve someone who was obviously intoxicated to the point they presented a danger to themselves or others. If the driver in this case had been drinking at a licensed bar or restaurant shortly before the crash, investigators should work to determine whether staff ignored clear signs of intoxication or failed to intervene.
What Evidence Could Help Answer That Question?
Determining whether a dram shop claim exists depends heavily on evidence from the hours leading up to the crash. Investigators should seek out credit card receipts, bar tabs, security footage, and witness statements from patrons or servers. Social media posts and location data from cell phones can also help establish a timeline of where the driver was and what condition they were in before getting on the road.
Why a Full Investigation Is Crucial
In my experience, initial reports contain little to no details about how someone became so impaired that they caused a fatal wreck. Dram shop investigations can provide those answers. Ultimately, it is the best way to determine if a business contributed to this crash and provide answers to those affected by the accident.